When you think of Marilyn Monroe you immediately picture her in the white dress and the wind blowing her skirt up in her famous movie, The Seven Year Itch. Much like the scene, the actress is also etched in people’s minds 60 years after her death. Although Hollywood has attempted to bring her story to the screen several times, they have never quite explored the complex woman that Monroe was. The latest Netflix documentary, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes explores the truth behind her mysterious death. Using several archival footage and recordings that were never made public, Netflix deciphers the troubled star.

Monroe grew up in foster homes

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was born to Glady Baker. She and her mother, who never told her about her father, had a rocky relationship. Baker was mentally unstable. Hence, Monroe would be forced to move from one foster house to another. One of her foster parents sexually assaulted her. The trauma was so great that she developed a stutter. She also stayed in an orphanage for two years.

A deeply insecure individual

Despite being a sex icon of Hollywood, the diva wanted meatier parts and roles. She was typecasted and only offered dumb pretty lass roles. Nevertheless, she took her craft seriously and took several acting lessons, attended Lee Strausberg’s acting classes.

She wanted kids but miscarried twice 

None of her marriages lasted. She married thrice. At 16, she got hitched to her neighbor, James Dougherty. She married Joe DiMaggio in 1954 and divorced him 7 months later. Her relationship with Arthur Miller also didn’t work out. But she wanted a family and kids. She suffered two miscarriages and had several abortions. Moreover, she was getting treated for Endometriosis.

Died from a drug overdose

Whether it was from having a tragic childhood or losing her baby twice, the star had several mental health issues. Doctors prescribed her sedatives for insomnia and painkillers for her illness. The actress was also a heavy drinker. She once admitted herself to a psychiatric ward as well. The police ruled that it was a drug overdose. 

When will the Marilyn Monroe documentary arrive on Netflix?

The Emma Cooper-directed documentary will arrive on April 27th. Chris Smith has served as an executive producer on the Marilyn Monroe Netflix documentary.

Will you watch The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes on Netflix? Let us know in the comments.